US4177763A - Cat scratching post assembly - Google Patents

Cat scratching post assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US4177763A
US4177763A US05/896,892 US89689278A US4177763A US 4177763 A US4177763 A US 4177763A US 89689278 A US89689278 A US 89689278A US 4177763 A US4177763 A US 4177763A
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United States
Prior art keywords
base
post
stud
sections
scratching
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Expired - Lifetime
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US05/896,892
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Weldon R. Cook
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to US05/896,892 priority Critical patent/US4177763A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K15/00—Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
    • A01K15/02—Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices ; Toys specially adapted for animals
    • A01K15/024—Scratching devices, e.g. for cats
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K13/00—Devices for grooming or caring of animals, e.g. curry-combs; Fetlock rings; Tail-holders; Devices for preventing crib-biting; Washing devices; Protection against weather conditions or insects
    • A01K13/004—Rubbing-posts

Definitions

  • Scratching posts have substantial utility about the house, since they encourage cats and other pets to scratch the posts, instead of furniture and fixtures.
  • a scratching post must have a relatively large base, so that there will be no tendency for the structure to tip over when scratched by large cats, or other pets.
  • the scratching post of the invention may be readily dismantled from the base, and the base may be folded into a shape requiring minimal space for convenient packaging and display purposes.
  • the scratching post assembly of the invention has a base which may be readily disconnected from the post itself, and then folded, so that the post and folded base may be packaged adjacent to one another, with the resulting package having relatively small dimensions.
  • the carpet covering the base preferably serves as the hinge, so that the assembly can be produced inexpensively and sold at a relatively low price.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a scratching post assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows the assembly of FIG. 1 in a dismantled condition, and packaged in a conveniently shaped package for shipping and display purposes.
  • the assembly of the invention includes an elongated post 10 having a threaded stud 12 protruding from the lower end thereof.
  • the assembly also includes a base 14 which is formed of a first planar section 14a and a second planar section 14b.
  • the post and the base are covered with appropriate carpeting material, or other appropriate material, which is conducive to causing the cat, or other household paet, to scratch the post and the base.
  • the carpeting material on the base has an additional function of serving as a hinge for the two sections 14a and 14b.
  • This hinge permits the two sections to be turned to a coplanar position, such as shown in FIG. 1, or to a folded position such as shown in FIG. 3.
  • a central hole 16 is formed on the hinge line between the two sections 14a and 14b. This hole 16 receives the stud 12 which the assembly is assembled, and an apertured plate 18 receives the stud and bears against the lower surface of the base 14.
  • a nut 20 is threaded to the stud to hold the post 10 in place on the base 14.
  • the lower end of the post bears against one side of the base sections 14a and 14b, and the plate 18 bears gainst the other side, so that when the nut 20 is tightened, the base sections are firmly and securely held in their coplanar position as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the post For shipping purposes, the post is removed from the base, and the plate 18 and nut 20 are held on the stud 12.
  • the base 14 is folded, and the post and base may be packaged in a suitable package 22 with the post in front of the folded base, for shipping and display purposes. It will be observed that the dismantled assembly is compactly packaged within the package 22, for convenient shipping and display purposes.

Abstract

A scratching post assembly is provided for cats, and other pets, which comprises an upright elongated post which is covered with carpeting, or equivalent material, and which is detachably mounted on a base which, likewise, may be covered with carpeting, or equivalent material. In accordance with the invention, the post is readily demountable from the base, and the base is formed of two hinged sections which may be folded against one another, so that the assembly may be packaged to occupy minimal space for shipping purposes and for display in retail outlets.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Scratching posts have substantial utility about the house, since they encourage cats and other pets to scratch the posts, instead of furniture and fixtures. However, in order to be feasible, a scratching post must have a relatively large base, so that there will be no tendency for the structure to tip over when scratched by large cats, or other pets.
However, the aforesaid requirement for a large base has created packaging problems in the prior art scratching post assemblies, since the overall shape of the prior art assembly is awkward to package, and since the prior art assemblies require an inordinately large amount of space for display purposes in the retail outlets.
These problems are solved by the structure of the present invention because, as will be described, the scratching post of the invention may be readily dismantled from the base, and the base may be folded into a shape requiring minimal space for convenient packaging and display purposes.
In the embodiment to be described, the scratching post assembly of the invention has a base which may be readily disconnected from the post itself, and then folded, so that the post and folded base may be packaged adjacent to one another, with the resulting package having relatively small dimensions. The carpet covering the base preferably serves as the hinge, so that the assembly can be produced inexpensively and sold at a relatively low price.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a scratching post assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 shows the assembly of FIG. 1 in a dismantled condition, and packaged in a conveniently shaped package for shipping and display purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
As shown in the drawing, the assembly of the invention includes an elongated post 10 having a threaded stud 12 protruding from the lower end thereof. The assembly also includes a base 14 which is formed of a first planar section 14a and a second planar section 14b. The post and the base are covered with appropriate carpeting material, or other appropriate material, which is conducive to causing the cat, or other household paet, to scratch the post and the base.
The carpeting material on the base has an additional function of serving as a hinge for the two sections 14a and 14b. This hinge permits the two sections to be turned to a coplanar position, such as shown in FIG. 1, or to a folded position such as shown in FIG. 3. A central hole 16 is formed on the hinge line between the two sections 14a and 14b. This hole 16 receives the stud 12 which the assembly is assembled, and an apertured plate 18 receives the stud and bears against the lower surface of the base 14.
A nut 20 is threaded to the stud to hold the post 10 in place on the base 14. The lower end of the post bears against one side of the base sections 14a and 14b, and the plate 18 bears gainst the other side, so that when the nut 20 is tightened, the base sections are firmly and securely held in their coplanar position as shown in FIG. 1.
For shipping purposes, the post is removed from the base, and the plate 18 and nut 20 are held on the stud 12. The base 14 is folded, and the post and base may be packaged in a suitable package 22 with the post in front of the folded base, for shipping and display purposes. It will be observed that the dismantled assembly is compactly packaged within the package 22, for convenient shipping and display purposes.
It will be appreciated that while a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the claims to cover all modifications which come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:
1. A scratching post assembly for cats, and other household pets, comprising: an elongated post; carpeting material covering said post; a stud protruding downwardly from the lower end of said post; a two-piece base comprising a first planar section and a second planar section having edges adjacent to one another; carpeting material covering said base and causing the adjacent edges of said first and second planar sections to be hinged to one another so as to permit the base to be closed to a first position in which the first and second sections are folded against one another, and to be opened to a second position in which the first and second sections are in co-planar relationship with respect to one another, said first and second sections defining a hole on the hinge line for receiving said stud; and fastening means engaging said stud on the opposite side of the base from the post to secure the post in an upright position on the base and to cause the post to hold the first and second sections of the base in their co-planar relationship.
2. The scratching post assembly defined in claim 1, in which the stud is threaded, and in which said fastening means comprises a nut adapted to be threaded to the stud.
3. The scratching post assembly defined in claim 1, and which includes an aperture plate number adapted to fit over the stud and to be interposed between the fastening means and the lower surface of the base.
4. The scratching post assembly defined in claim 1, in which said hole is located at a central position along the hinge line.
US05/896,892 1978-04-17 1978-04-17 Cat scratching post assembly Expired - Lifetime US4177763A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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US05/896,892 US4177763A (en) 1978-04-17 1978-04-17 Cat scratching post assembly

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/896,892 US4177763A (en) 1978-04-17 1978-04-17 Cat scratching post assembly

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US4177763A true US4177763A (en) 1979-12-11

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Cited By (39)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4517922A (en) * 1982-09-24 1985-05-21 Lind Jeannine H Pet amusement device
US4996946A (en) * 1989-05-09 1991-03-05 Olson Jerome C Portable article of rubbing furniture for cats
US5038716A (en) * 1990-10-26 1991-08-13 Olson Jerome C Rubbing pedestal and perch for cats
US5054429A (en) * 1989-10-13 1991-10-08 Bradford Collins C Cat scratching post and method for making a cat scratching post
WO1992000666A1 (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-01-23 Robert Joseph Delzio Cat scratching post feeder
US5176105A (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-01-05 Madden Marc P Fur grooming apparatus
US5577466A (en) * 1994-09-07 1996-11-26 Luxford; Pamela M. Modular play structure for animals
US6360692B2 (en) * 2000-02-17 2002-03-26 Walter L. Gear Kitty corner scratching apparatus
US6619237B2 (en) * 2001-06-22 2003-09-16 Nita J. Robertson Recoverable cat-scratching post
US6640750B2 (en) 2002-01-31 2003-11-04 Tina Rowe Electric feline play center
US20040140368A1 (en) * 2001-08-24 2004-07-22 Girone Anthony E. Reusable air freshener
US20050011469A1 (en) * 2003-05-30 2005-01-20 Ghl International, Inc. Cat scratching post
US20050039695A1 (en) * 2003-06-10 2005-02-24 Deming Robert F. Protective cat scratching post
US20050263096A1 (en) * 2004-05-12 2005-12-01 Mita Frank P Pet furniture system
US20070039558A1 (en) * 2005-08-17 2007-02-22 Hensley Roy A Animal self-grooming system
US20080149042A1 (en) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 Eric Lee Halpern Exercise and perch system for domestic cats
US20090095228A1 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Rahmar Oberholtzer Ground Mounted Animal Belly Brush
US20100154719A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Structure and method for entertaining a feline
US20100326367A1 (en) * 2009-03-10 2010-12-30 Donald Kevin Wedertz Interconnected claw post
WO2011006225A1 (en) * 2009-07-16 2011-01-20 Thiago Ximenes De Araujo Viana Dog scratcher
US8127717B1 (en) * 2009-10-15 2012-03-06 Melanie Rose Trodella Waste deposit station
US20120090552A1 (en) * 2010-10-13 2012-04-19 David Haaf Pet amusement device
US20120192803A1 (en) * 2011-01-27 2012-08-02 David Haaf Cat grooming and activity device
US20120312239A1 (en) * 2010-02-24 2012-12-13 Donald Kevin Wedertz Expandable pet device
US20150122198A1 (en) * 2013-11-02 2015-05-07 Andrey Voronenko Combined cat scratching and activity device with selection of mounts
US9491928B1 (en) 2015-06-26 2016-11-15 If Industries, LLC Illuminated scratch post
USD774708S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2016-12-20 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD774707S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2016-12-20 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD774709S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2016-12-20 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD776884S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2017-01-17 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD789622S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2017-06-13 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
US10070622B2 (en) * 2015-09-14 2018-09-11 Mohamed-Mike Hajalie Nature side cat relaxation center and scratcher
US20180271060A1 (en) * 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Kyle Raymond Hansen Pet scratching device and method
US20180352785A1 (en) * 2017-06-12 2018-12-13 Petsweet Co., Ltd. Environmentally Friendly House Cat scratcher with Simple Folding and Assembling
US10314286B2 (en) 2015-11-15 2019-06-11 Dee Volin Shape-shifting self-draining indoor-outdoor exercise pet tree, having rotatable slanting logs, rotatable slanting steps, rotatable slanting branches, rotatable slanting houses, rotatable slanting accessories, and rotatable slanting wheels
US20190246605A1 (en) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-15 Li-Chen Chen Assembled pet toy device
USD865509S1 (en) 2019-04-02 2019-11-05 Charles O. Stewart Furniture protecting scratching device
US10709109B2 (en) 2018-06-07 2020-07-14 Charles O. Stewart Furniture protecting scratching device
US20210392854A1 (en) * 2020-06-18 2021-12-23 Hebe Studio Limited Scratching apparatus

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2894487A (en) * 1956-09-21 1959-07-14 Goldson Marvin Scratch post with renewable fabric cover
US3479990A (en) * 1968-01-11 1969-11-25 Frank L Crow Cat tree
US3716029A (en) * 1971-01-22 1973-02-13 C Pillsbury Animal exercising device
US4112873A (en) * 1977-01-05 1978-09-12 Zandt Robert D Van Animal climbing structure kit

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2894487A (en) * 1956-09-21 1959-07-14 Goldson Marvin Scratch post with renewable fabric cover
US3479990A (en) * 1968-01-11 1969-11-25 Frank L Crow Cat tree
US3716029A (en) * 1971-01-22 1973-02-13 C Pillsbury Animal exercising device
US4112873A (en) * 1977-01-05 1978-09-12 Zandt Robert D Van Animal climbing structure kit

Cited By (50)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4517922A (en) * 1982-09-24 1985-05-21 Lind Jeannine H Pet amusement device
US4996946A (en) * 1989-05-09 1991-03-05 Olson Jerome C Portable article of rubbing furniture for cats
US5054429A (en) * 1989-10-13 1991-10-08 Bradford Collins C Cat scratching post and method for making a cat scratching post
USRE35173E (en) * 1990-07-09 1996-03-12 Delzio; Robert J. Cat scratching post feeder
WO1992000666A1 (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-01-23 Robert Joseph Delzio Cat scratching post feeder
US5113795A (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-05-19 Delzio Robert J Cat scratching post feeder
US5038716A (en) * 1990-10-26 1991-08-13 Olson Jerome C Rubbing pedestal and perch for cats
US5176105A (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-01-05 Madden Marc P Fur grooming apparatus
WO1993002550A1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-02-18 Madden Marc P Fur grooming apparatus
US5577466A (en) * 1994-09-07 1996-11-26 Luxford; Pamela M. Modular play structure for animals
US6360692B2 (en) * 2000-02-17 2002-03-26 Walter L. Gear Kitty corner scratching apparatus
US6619237B2 (en) * 2001-06-22 2003-09-16 Nita J. Robertson Recoverable cat-scratching post
US20040140368A1 (en) * 2001-08-24 2004-07-22 Girone Anthony E. Reusable air freshener
US6640750B2 (en) 2002-01-31 2003-11-04 Tina Rowe Electric feline play center
US20050011469A1 (en) * 2003-05-30 2005-01-20 Ghl International, Inc. Cat scratching post
US7171922B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2007-02-06 G.H.L. International, Inc. Cat scratching post
US20050039695A1 (en) * 2003-06-10 2005-02-24 Deming Robert F. Protective cat scratching post
US7207293B2 (en) 2003-06-10 2007-04-24 Deming Jr Robert F Protective cat scratching post
US20050263096A1 (en) * 2004-05-12 2005-12-01 Mita Frank P Pet furniture system
US20070039558A1 (en) * 2005-08-17 2007-02-22 Hensley Roy A Animal self-grooming system
US7444959B2 (en) * 2005-08-17 2008-11-04 Roy Austin Hensley Animal self-grooming system
US20080149042A1 (en) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 Eric Lee Halpern Exercise and perch system for domestic cats
US7770540B2 (en) * 2006-12-21 2010-08-10 DesignWerks, Inc. Exercise and perch system for domestic cats
US20090095228A1 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Rahmar Oberholtzer Ground Mounted Animal Belly Brush
US7966975B2 (en) * 2007-10-12 2011-06-28 Rahmar Oberholtzer Ground mounted animal belly brush
US20100154719A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Structure and method for entertaining a feline
US20100319629A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-12-23 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Structure and method for entertaining a feline
US20100326367A1 (en) * 2009-03-10 2010-12-30 Donald Kevin Wedertz Interconnected claw post
WO2011006225A1 (en) * 2009-07-16 2011-01-20 Thiago Ximenes De Araujo Viana Dog scratcher
US8127717B1 (en) * 2009-10-15 2012-03-06 Melanie Rose Trodella Waste deposit station
US20120312239A1 (en) * 2010-02-24 2012-12-13 Donald Kevin Wedertz Expandable pet device
US20120090552A1 (en) * 2010-10-13 2012-04-19 David Haaf Pet amusement device
US20120192803A1 (en) * 2011-01-27 2012-08-02 David Haaf Cat grooming and activity device
US8336501B2 (en) * 2011-01-27 2012-12-25 Worldwise, Inc. Cat grooming and activity device
US20150122198A1 (en) * 2013-11-02 2015-05-07 Andrey Voronenko Combined cat scratching and activity device with selection of mounts
USD774709S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2016-12-20 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD774707S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2016-12-20 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD776884S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2017-01-17 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD789622S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2017-06-13 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
USD774708S1 (en) 2015-05-04 2016-12-20 Sportpet Designs, Inc. Feline play structure
US9491928B1 (en) 2015-06-26 2016-11-15 If Industries, LLC Illuminated scratch post
US10070622B2 (en) * 2015-09-14 2018-09-11 Mohamed-Mike Hajalie Nature side cat relaxation center and scratcher
US10314286B2 (en) 2015-11-15 2019-06-11 Dee Volin Shape-shifting self-draining indoor-outdoor exercise pet tree, having rotatable slanting logs, rotatable slanting steps, rotatable slanting branches, rotatable slanting houses, rotatable slanting accessories, and rotatable slanting wheels
US20180271060A1 (en) * 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Kyle Raymond Hansen Pet scratching device and method
US20180352785A1 (en) * 2017-06-12 2018-12-13 Petsweet Co., Ltd. Environmentally Friendly House Cat scratcher with Simple Folding and Assembling
US20190246605A1 (en) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-15 Li-Chen Chen Assembled pet toy device
US10709109B2 (en) 2018-06-07 2020-07-14 Charles O. Stewart Furniture protecting scratching device
USD865509S1 (en) 2019-04-02 2019-11-05 Charles O. Stewart Furniture protecting scratching device
US20210392854A1 (en) * 2020-06-18 2021-12-23 Hebe Studio Limited Scratching apparatus
US11696569B2 (en) * 2020-06-18 2023-07-11 Hebe Studio Limited Scratching apparatus

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